One of Kyoto's Big Three Festivals held on May 15. The Aoi Matsuri's colorful procession of over 500 people in Heian-Period costumes start off at the Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace and head for the Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines. Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace 京都御所: The first ox carriage waits for the procession to start. The ox carriage is called a gissha. 牛車

The bull was mooing all the time and was very restless.Do bulls moo or do they snort? This was making a loud noise.

Norijiri horseman leads the procession. 乗尻The procession, called Roto-no-Gi (路頭の儀), is actually one of three rites performed during the festival.

The procession basically consists of two columns: The Hon-retsu which includes the procession's highest-ranking official called Chokushi. It consists of men. The second and longer column is the Saio-dai-retsu consisting of women.

"Heian" comes from "Heian-kyo," the former name of Kyoto city.

The Heian Period was when Kyoto was the capital of Japan where the Emperor resided.

The Aoi Matsuri (Festival) used to be called Kamo-sai, after the name of the two shrines which hold the festival.賀茂祭

One of six court dancers called maibito. 舞人

The procession's highest-ranking official called Chokushi. An Imperial Messenger. The horse is highly decorated. 勅使

The Aoi Matsuri started in the early Heian Period in the 8th century as a national or state-sponsored event.

May 15, the day of the procession, is the festival's climax. However, there are other festival-related ceremonies and events before this day.

Over 500 people in the procession walk along the 8-kilometer route.There's a lunch break at around noon at Shimogamo Shrine.

Flower umbrella called furyu-gasa. 風流傘Flowers are artificial.

Flower umbrella

Saio-dai Princess procession. 斎王代

Saio-dai Princess procession. 斎王代

The Saio-dai Retsu column begins. Consists of all women, highlighted by the Saio-dai Princess.

High-ranking lady of the court

Court ladies called myobu. 命婦

Court lady called myobu. 命婦

Court lady called myobu. 命婦

斎王代

Saio-dai Princess riding on a special palanquin called Oyoyo. 斎王代 腰輿（およよ）腰輿（およよ）

The Saio-dai Princess in 2005 was Saito Ayako, a 21-year-old Kyoto native and student at Doshisha Univ. Her 12-layer juni-hitoe kimono weighs 30 kg. 斎王代、齋藤彩子さん(21)The Saio-dai Princess is selected every year in April and a press conference is held to announce who was chosen. She is always a native of Kyoto, single, and in her early 20s. The Saio-dai was first incorporated in the festival in 1956. In 2005, she is the 50th Saio-dai.

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The Saio-dai Princess is the main figure of the procession. She represents the Imperial princess who worked at the Kamo Shrine and served in the Aoi Festival during the Heian Period.腰輿（およよ）

Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna. They escort the Saio-dai Princess.騎女

Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna.騎女

Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna.騎女

Shrine maiden on horseback called Munanori Onna.騎女

With over 30 horses in the procession, this guy will be kept busy...

Following the Saio-dai Princess are more high-ranking ladies of the court.

The procession is about 1 kilometer long.Wall of Kyoto Imperial Palace.

It takes about an hour to see the entire procession go by.Wall of Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Main promenade of Kyoto Imperial Palace

Main promenade of Kyoto Imperial PalaceUnless you get here early, it is very difficult to get a good place to take pictures. This promenade is the most popular place for photographers. It is most scenic because there are no distracting buildings.

Kawaramachi-dori 河原町通

Kawaramachi-dori 河原町通

Bridge to Shimogamo Shrine 出町橋

11:50 am: The procession reaches Shimogamo Shrine. 下鴨神社Shimogamo Shrine has a very elongated shrine grounds, with a long straight path to the shrine hall.